Free State Government on meeting with Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe

Outcomes of an engagement between the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises and the Free State Premier’s Coordinating Forum

1. As part of an intensive programme to ensure good working relations between State Owned Companies (SOCs) and the provincial government, the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Bulelani Magwanishe, today had an engagement with the Free State Premier’s Coordinating Forum (PCF).

2. The main objectives of the engagement were the following;

1. To improve working relationships between State Owned Companies and the provincial government, municipalities and entities;
2. To fast track key SOC investment projects and unlock any blockages;
3. To find tangible solutions towards settling debt owed by Free State municipalities to companies like ESKOM;
4. To prepare for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Premier and the Minister of Public Enterprises; and
5. To develop an implementable Programme of Action to drive the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding.

3. The Deputy Minister’s delegation included the Director-General of the Department of Public Enterprises, Mr. Mogokare Seleke, senior managers of State Owned Companies, and senior managers of Departments of Public Enterprises, National Treasury and CoGTA.

4. The following State Owned Companies were present at the meeting;

• ESKOM
• SAFCOL
• Transnet
• Denel
• SA Express.

5. The engagement was also attended by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), Executive Mayors and Mayors of Free State municipalities, the provincial government’s Director-General and Heads of Departments (HODs) as well as Municipal Managers;

6. The Premier’s Coordinating Forum emerged with clear resolutions that include;

1. To pilot the construction of public buildings like schools and clinics using timber frame structures. SAFCOL, a State Owned Company, has since 2011 embarked on a green building initiative. 18 timber frame structures ranging from schools, clinics and multi-purpose centres have been built so far in other provinces;
2. To continue to work with State Owned Companies to fast track the revitalization of small and mining towns through strategic investment;
3. To continue to engage with ESKOM to find lasting solutions to challenges related to debt owed by municipalities. In this regard, the PCF resolved that a roll out of revenue collection support by ESKOM to municipalities should be implemented; and
4. To explore ways of rolling out the smart prepaid meters for residential electricity consumers, schools, clinics and businesses in townships. These meters are expected to save costs for electricity users, amongst other benefits;

7. A detailed MOU between the Premier and the Minister of Public Enterprises will be signed as soon as possible and the media will be informed beforehand.

Enquiries:
Tiisetso Makhele
Premier’s Spokesperson
Cell: 076 833 0033

Pulane Tsupane
Cell: 071 302 2595